Everly ballpark renovations not to be competed this year, director says

Funding, other issues preventing project’s completion

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By Dave GongMcDonough County Voice

The McDonough County Voice

By Dave GongMcDonough County Voice

Posted Apr. 18, 2013 at 9:00 AM

By Dave GongMcDonough County Voice

Posted Apr. 18, 2013 at 9:00 AM

MACOMB

Renovations to the restrooms at the concession stand at the Everly Park ballpark will not be completed this year, Park District Director Ray Peterson said during Tuesday's regular meeting of the district's board of commissioners.

Peterson said funding — "and about a dozen other complications" — is keeping the district from being able to complete the project.

Hemingway said upgrades to the Everly Park playground, as well as the restrooms at the concession stand, have been on the district's list to be completed for a number of years. However, other projects have caused any projects for Everly Park to fall to a lower priority.

During Tuesday's meeting, Peterson received permission from the board to begin gathering estimates and putting together a complete plan for the park's renovations. Peterson also requested the board make Everly Park a higher priority.

"There's a window here because as some of the other projects start to unfold, Everly Park wont be finished for the next 15 years," he said, adding that the restrooms at the park should probably be removed now, but will definitely need to be replaced within the next two years.

Peterson also said the cost of renovating the park could cost the park district a great deal of money — about $100,000 to $250,000 by his estimate — depending what the park district chooses to do with the renovations.

There are currently six items on the park district's list of projects, Hemingway said, which all have something to do with facilities.

Other business

During Tuesday's meeting, Hemingway said the park district has received a request from the McDonough County Health Department asking the district to participate in a new tobacco-free grant program that regulates smoking at park district facilities.

"The request is for action regulating smoking in park district facilities and areas," he said. "It's a bit more complicated, I think, than the folks at the health department might realize."

Hemingway said discussions need to be held regarding the enforceability of such regulation and the "legal status of any action the district might take." Because of this, Hemingway referred the request to the district's steering committee.

"I've asked the director to explore what reasonable steps might be taken," he said, "with the aim of bringing a full proposal (before the board) within the next couple of months."